CHAPTER V.

THE PHYSICAL COST OF PROCREATION.

Boxing the compass, or proving the principles.--Prevalent ignorance on subjects relating to sex.--Lessons taught by the reproduction of vegetable life.--The green scum of the pond.--Reproduction costs life.--Death as the result of reproduction among fishes.--Reproduction among insects.--The drone and the queen bee.--With the birds, death as the result of reproduction disappears.--With animals, the ovum and sperm are reduced to microscopic proportions.--The inclination to beget, a premonition of decay and death.--Procreation costs vital force.--Reproductive inclination periodic among the lower animals.--More continuous in man.--Benefits of restraint.--Strict continence often an imperative duty.--Instances named, 74